33 - Seven Chambers beginning with Topaz rampart and ending with the rampart of Pearls

This chapter describes the seven concentric chambers or enclosures built of precious stones-each enclosure built exclusively of the following precious stones—Topaz and gold, rubies, Gomeda (a gem of four colours found in the Himalayan region), diamonds, Lapis-Lazuli, Sapphires and Pearls. One wonders whether pearls were regarded more valuable than diamonds, sapphires in those days. The special feature of these enclosures was the uniformity in colour etc. of the Plant-world, nay even of water, birds etc. in each enclosure; thus in describing the diamond enclosure, the water of river Vajrá is to liquefy diamond and those who drink it have adamantine Physique (vv.29-31). Wine flows liberally in Lalită-måhåtmya and the residents of those whether Siddhas, Shaktis etc. are inebriated but are devotees of Lalitå, repeat her Mantra, epithets etc. 

Hayagriva said: 

1. The characteristic features of seven enclosures built by the artisans have been recounted. Now the enclosures studded with jewels and precious stones are being glorified. Listen attentively. 

2. The intervening space between the enclosure of gold and the enclosure of Topaz is mentioned to be only seven Yojanas.¹ 

1. VV.2-9 describe the enclosure of gold and topaz. The residents of this enclosure are Siddhas (male and female). 

3. It is there that the Siddhas and Siddha-women sport about in their excitement due to inebriation, with tasty juices, tonic beverages, swords and cosmetic ointments applied to the feet. 

4. They are endowed with devotion to Lalita and please the great people. They stay there and imbibe different kinds of juicy liquor. 

5. The arrangements of the doorway of enclosures built of topaz and other gems, are as before. The panels of doors, bolts and Gopuras, it should be known, are made of topaz etc. sparkling like the moon and the sun at the height of their lustre. 

6. The space in between the circular golden rampart and that of topaz is also remembered as made of topaz. 

7. In all the great enclosures and chambers described subsequently, the birds and lakes have the same uniform colour. 

8-9. The waters of the rivers are also of the same colour. The bejewelled trees too have the same colour. Those among the Siddha castes who had formerly worshipped the goddess in diverse ways and had passed away are born as the Siddhas here, along with their women. They repeat the Mantras of Lalita, and they are exclusively devoted to the procedure of worship of Lalità. All of them devoutly repeat the names of goddess Lalità. 

10. Within the great enclosure of topaz and seven Yojanas from it is the square enclosure made of ruby.¹ 

1. VV.10.13 describe the enclosure of rubies. It is inhabited by Chåraņas. 

11. The ground too is paved with rubies, Gopura and other structures also are made of rubies. It is there that those who formerly stayed in the region of Chårañas and had subsequently attained Siddhis due to the destruction of former bodies, stay serving the lotus-like feet of the great queen. 

12. Womenfolk of the Chäraņas have beautiful limbs. They are desirous of getting inebriated. They frequently sing the musical compositions eulogising goddess Lalità. 

13. There itself, they occupy the platform amongst the Kalpa (wish-yielding) trees. They move about along with their husbands and drink sweet wine. 

14. Within the great enclosure of rubies and seven Yojanas from it, is the great enclosure of the gem called Gomeda² (a gem from Himalayas, of four colours). 

The extremely lofty chamber of diamonds with the ground paved with diamonds, is in between them. 

2. VV.14-26 describe the enclosure of gomeda. It is populated by crores of Yoginis and Bhairavas. Its special feature is the residence of Apsaras (Heavenly courtesans) and Gandharvas all drunkards but meditate upon Lalitå. VV. 24-26 enumerate the fourteen sources of origin of these divine damsels. 

15. It is there, O Pot-born sage, that the leading Gandharvas who had worshipped the goddess in their previous births stay along with the groups of celestial damsels. 

16. By means of notes on the lutes, they sing about the good qualities of the empress. They take excessive interest in the sole enjoyment of amorous pleasures. Their bodies resemble the body of the god of love. They are gentle-natured. They have great devotion towards Shridevi. 

17. The chamber of Gomeda gem is of the same shape and features as the previous one. In the middle of it there are crores of Yoginis and Bhairavas. They serve mother (goddess) Kalasankarshani there with devotion. 

'18-22. Within the great enclosure of Gomeda gems, seven Yojanas from it, live the celestial damsels such as Urvashī, Menakå, Rambhå, Alambuşha, Manjughoşhå, Sukeshi, Purvachitti, Ghrutåchi, Krutasthala, Vishváchi, Punjikasthala, Tilottama, and other celestial harlots like them. Along with the Gandharvas they drink fresh liquor from the Kalpa-trees. They meditate upon Lalitädevi again and again. In order to enhance their own great fortune, they repeat her Mantra. All the Apsaras ladies originating from fourteen places stay there itself worshipping the goddess with joyous minds.

Agastya enquired: 

23. O holy lord, recount the fourteen sources of origin of those Apsaras (celestial damsels), O highly intelligent one, O great storehouse of all lores.

 Hayagriva replied: 

24-26. The heart of Brahmå, Kåma, Mrutyu, Urvi (the Earth), the wind god, Sun's, Moon's rays, Vedas, the fire-God, lightning, nectar, daughter of Daksha and water. * Learned men consider these as the causes of birth of divine harlots, with dazzling riches of blessedness and grandeur. Along with the Gandharvas all these worship goddesses Chakriņi. 

*Thirteen sources are enumerated here. The ocean of Milk is the fourteenth source. 

27. The Kinnaras and the Kimpuruşhas, O sage, have resorted to the region of diamond.¹ They are accompanied by their woman folk, and they are maddened with inebriation. 

1. VV.27-33 describe the enclosure of diamonds. Its residents are Kinnaras and Kimpurushas. 

28. They get rid of all their sins by repeating the Mantra of the empress (Lalitā). O Pot-born sage, they stay there dancing and singing. 

29-30. There itself, on the ground studded with diamonds flows the river Vajrå, O sage. It shines with trees on either bank, thickly grown and having the form and features of diamonds. The sand particles of this river are solely diamond pieces. Verily, the water is liquefied diamond. That sanctifying river flows all round that region. 

31. Those excellent men who are devotees of Lalità Paramešhani and drink its water, attain adamantine physical bodies, O Pot-born sage. They become long-lived and free from sickness. 

32. When the thunderbolt hurled by him was dissolved and melted by Bhandåsura, Shatakratu (Indra) performed penance with great devotion towards Vajreshī. 

33. The goddess rose from its waters, gave the thunder bolt to the enemy of Vala (i.e., Indra) and vanished once again. Gratified thereby he too went back to the heaven. 

34. Within the enclosure of diamond and seven Yojanas from it is the lofty Vaiduryaśhāla (Enclosure of Lapis Lazuli.¹). It has Gopuras as mentioned before. The land there is also made of Lapis Lazuli. It has sparkling features. 

1. VV. 34-40 describe the enclosure of Lapis Lazuli. It is inhabited by the denizens of Påtala viz. great Nägas like Śheșha, Karkotaka, Bali and pious Daityas. 

35. Those residents of Påtāla who aspirants for spiritual enlightenment and worshippers of Shridevi had been reside there in the forms of Siddhas with abundant happiness. 

36-38. Śheşha, Karkoțaka, Mahapadma, Vasuki, Shankha, Takşhaka, Shankhachuda, Mahådanta, Mahāphaņa and many other Nāgas like these stay there. So also, their womenfolk. The class of virtuous and devout Daityas, the chief of whom is Bali, stays there along with the Någas as well as its own women folk. They habitually repeat the Mantras of Lalitā. They are initiated in the sacred lore of Lalità. They are the perpetual worshippers of Lalitā. Thus, the Asuras and serpents reside there. 

39. There, in the chamber of Lapis Lazuli, the rivers have icy chill waters. The waters in the lakes have sparkling lustre free from dirt. The lakes are adorned with cranes, swans and lotuses. 

40. The mansions are divine and embellished with Lapis Lazuli gems. Those serpents and Asuras play there along with their womenfolk. 

41. Within the great enclosure of Lapis Lazuli and seven Yojanas from it, there is the enclosure of sapphire² like another circle. 

2. VV. 41-49 describe the enclosure of Sapphire. 

42. The ground in the middle of it, О sage, is paved with sapphire gems. The rivers there are sweet and the lakes pleasantly cool. There are different kinds of tasty and juicy objects of pleasurable enjoyment. 

43. Those people of earthly world who had attained mastery over Lalita's Mantra attain the chamber of sapphire on giving up their bodies and stay there. 

44-46. They enjoy divine objects in the company of their womenfolk. They drink sweet wine and dance with great devotion. They sport about in those lakes and rivers, O Pot born sage, in beautiful bowers and arbours and mansions of great prosperity. They repeat the names of Shridevi always and recite her good qualities. Those highly fortunate people reside there surrounded by their women. 

47. When their Karmans become exhausted they go back t0 their human bodies on the earth. Enduced with the previous Väsanā (imprints of former actions) they once again worship Chakriņi. Again, they go to the great enclosure of sapphire in Shrinagara. 

48-49. On account of continued contact with that region, O sage, men are always endowed with dark emotions and feelings arising from Råga (attachment) and Dvesha (hatred). Those who gain knowledge and wisdom, those who devoid of adverse effects of mutually opposed pairs and those who have subdued their organs of sense, O sage, possess surprising powers and they merge into Maheśhvari. 

50-53. Within the enclosure of sapphire and seven Yojanas away there is the enclosure of pearls.¹ It has Gopuras as mentioned before. The ground in between the two, O sage, is very pure and extremely refulgent. 'Everything is studded and set with pearls, very cool and highly pleasing. The great rivers Támraparņi, Mahåparņi, Sadamuktăphalodak and others like them flow in that great region. On their banks live all those residents of Devaloka who, in their previous births had successfully practised the repetitions of the Mantra of Shridevi. 

1. The description of this inner-most enclosure is important. It mentions the fame of the river Tämraparni for pearl-fisheries. The mention of the rivers of Tamilnad only confirms the author's native Province. It gives the distribution of eight quarters to traditional Dik-Palas (guardians of the quarters) such as Indra, Agni, Yama etc. Under Yama's jurisdiction are hells which too are enumerated. 

54. In the eight directions beginning with the east are the worlds of Shakra etc. with their doorways unitedly facing the pearl enclosure along its periphery. 

55-56. To the east of the central region between the gateways of pearl enclosure and sapphire enclosure is the world of Shakra and in the corner thereof is the site of the world of the fire-God (i.e., in the south-east). To the south is the city of Yama. There the lord stays holding his staff and (moves about) everywhere repeating the Mantras of Lalita. He is of impetuous and dreadful nature. 

57. His assistant official Guha implements the Law and Order of Śhridevi through the soldiers of Yama with Chitragupta as their leader. 

58-62. At the bidding of Śhridevi of great prowess, O Pot-born sage, he makes the sinners fall into the terrible painful hells. The sinners are as follows: Those who are cursed by Guha, who commit vile deeds, who cause hatred to Lalità, who show fraudulent devotion, who are fools, who are excessively haughty, who steal Mantras, who repeat evil Mantras, who possess evil lores, who resort to sins, who are atheists, who are habitually sinful, who aimlessly cause injury to living beings, who are hostile to women, who are disliked by the entire world and who give protection to heretics. O Pot-born sage, the hells into which they are cast are Kalasutra, Raurava, Kumbhipăka, Asipatravana, the dreadful Krumibhakşha, Pratápana, Låläkshepa, Sūcivedha, Angärapatana and many other painful hells like these. 

63. To the west of it (i.e., in the south-west corner) is Nirruti who holds a sword. Resorting to the Råkşhasa world, he worships Lalita. 

64-66. To the north of it (i.e., in the west) in between the two gateways, Varuņa stays permanently resorting to the Våruna world. He is excited and inebriated by tasting spirituous liquor. His limbs are fair and pure. His vehicle is fish (shark). He always repeats Shridevatá Mantra. He practises procedure of worship of Shridevi. With his nooses he binds those who dislike Shridevatädarshana (the philosophic system pertaining to Shri or Shrividya) and takes them down. He sets free all devotees from bondage. 

67-69. In the corner north of it (i.e., North-west) is the world of Väyu. It has great lustre. There are Siddhas, divine sages, others who practise (retention of) air and other Yogins the chief of whom is Gorakşha¹ stay there. They have gaseous bodies. They have perpetual bliss and prosperity. They are eagerly devoted to the practice of Yoga. The glorious lord Maruteśvara stays there, O Pot-born sage, along with those mentioned before. He has great inherent strength. He has different forms, different in every respect. 

1.  Mention of Gorakṣha or Gorakhanàth as "the chief of Yogins' shows that Goraksha became a legend by the time of Lalita-mahaimya. One wonders why his teacher Matsyendra is not mentioned as the pair Matsyendra and Gorakşha is still indissolubly popular. The mention of Goraksha shows that this Mähåtmya was composed after the 10th Cent. A.D. 

70. The Shaktis of Mårutanátha² are three viz.: Ida, Pingala and Suşhumna. They are always lethargic in their inebriation due to wine. 

2. The epithet Nätha' to the wind god shows the influence of Yogic Nátha Cult. Here instead of mentioning five Pruanas as his Shaktis, the Yogic flow of breath in the right and left nostrils is noted as his Shakti. Even the chief officers of Lalità are mentioned as Mantriņi nåthå' and Danda-nåthå. This may be due to the infuence of the Natha cult. 

71-74. He holds a flag in his hand. He is seated on his great vehicle, an excellent deer. He is absorbed in worshipping, eulogising, meditating upon and strictly adhering to the procedure of worship of Lalită. He is surrounded by other Śhaktis too with all their limbs filled with blissful sensations. That lord Maruta of great glory always performs the Japa of Chakriņi. At the end of Kalpa, by means of his inherent strength, he reduces the three worlds including the mobile and immobile beings, to the state of power in a moment and delights himself thereby. In order to achieve the requisite strength, for the same, he worships and meditates upon the goddess Laliteśhvari. He is adorned with all types of ornaments. 

75. Kubera, the Lord of Yakşhas, of great lustre and glory, resides in Yakşhaloka situated to the cast of his (Väyu's) world. He is in the middle of the two gateways. 

76. He is accompanied by Shaktis: Ruddhi, Vruddhi etc. nine Nidhis (treasures). By means of wealth and assets, he fulfils the desires of devotees. 

77. Along with Yakṣhis of charming features and obedient activities, he worships Chakriņi with different kinds of wine. 

78. There are Yakşha generals such as Maņibhadra, Pūrņabhadra, Maņimán, Manikandhara and others like them in that place. 

79. To the east of his world (i.e., North-east corner) is the world of Rudra of great prosperity. He is bedecked in very valuable jewels. He is the presiding deity. 

80-82. He has fiery brilliance always due to wrathfulness. A big quiver is always kept fastened to him. He is always surrounded by many Rudras who are on a par with him, who have great inherent strength, who are efficient in maintaining the worlds, who have kept their bows well strung and who are stationed in the sixteen outer coverings. By means of his faces, he continuously repeats the Mantra of Shridevatā. He is richly endowed with the practice of meditation. He is eager to worship Shridevī. The places near him are embellished by groups of many crores of Rudraņis. 

83. All of them have highly refulgent limbs. They are proud of their fresh youthfulness. They are engrossed in the meditation of Lalita. They are perpetually lethargic in their inebriation due to wines. 

84. The glorious Mahårudra who holds the trident is 'served by other Rudras, the chief among whom is Hiranyabāhu. He is accompanied by those Rudrāņis too. 

85-86. With the tip of his trident, he pierces those persons who have neglected visiting Lalità, who are haughty, and who are reproached by elderly people. He burns them by means of fierce fires originating from his eyes. He destroys their wives, children and servants. He is the great hero who obediently carries out the behest of Lalita. 

87. He stays thus in the extremely bcautiful Rudraloka, O Pot-born sage. The attendants of that Mahårudra, o sage, are the Pramåthins. 

88-96. These Rudras are numerous. Who is competent to enumerate them (in full)? There are thousands and thousands of Rudras over the earth. Those who stay in heaven are thousands and thousands. There are Rudras whose food is arrow, whose vital breaths are arrows and whose showers are arrows. They are brilliant. They have tawny eyes. They stay in the ocean and in the firmament. They have great prowess. They have matted hair and they hold wine goblets. They are blue-throated and red in complexion. They are above all living beings. They have arrows and Kapardas (Matted hair kept in the form of a crown). There are Rudras who pierce those people who drink wine in the vessels of their food. There are Rudras who act as chariots in the paths. There are Rudras residing in holy spots. There are others, thousands in number having Srukas (arrows) and Nishangas (quivers). Rudras have spread far and wide in all quarters spreading the commands of Lalitā. All of them are noble souls. They can bear three worlds in a moment. They are merciful and they protect those who are very clever in meditation on Shridevi, who regularly repeat the Mantra of Shridevi and who are the devotees of Shridevatā. They resort to the Chakra of sixteen outer-coverings in the enclosure with the rampart wall of pearls. They worship Maharudra of great prosperity with his face blazing with fury. The chief among them is Hiranyabahu.